A stasis chamber (also called a stasis unit, stasis pod, stasis tube, or bio-pod) was a coffin-shaped device used to preserve life in critically-injured or terminally-ill patients until their conditions could be stabilized in a fully-equipped medical facility.

The stasis unit suspended all cellular activity and disease processes, keeping the patient from succumbing to their illness or injury for an indefinite period. The device was not meant for saving a dead patient. However, it could preserve brain activity for few hours at most. Time was required to get the ailing patient into the unit before they succumbed, presumably so that more time was available as they came out of stasis to effect proper treatment. (TOS: "Space Seed"; TNG: "Reunion"; Star Trek Into Darkness)

The last of the Vaadwaurspecies placed themselves into underground stasis units, which they called bio-pods, in the 15th century to survive the destruction of their civilization. The pods malfunctioned, and so the Vaadwaur did not awaken until Seven of Nine activated the pods in 2376. (VOY: "Dragon's Teeth")